Willemstad, Curacao (TDN) -- Helmin Wiels the leader of the largest political party in Curacao's coalition government has been shot dead. Police say he was killed on a beach late Sunday in the Punda section of the Dutch island's capital by gunmen who fled by car.
News of the shooting of Wiels, 54, of the Pueblo Soberano Party (Sovereign People Party) has sent shock waves through the usually peaceful Caribbean island. His party has strenuously campaigned for independence from the Netherlands.
Prime minister Daniel Hodge called the shooting a “horrendous and terrible act”, which has left the entire country in shock. “We are not accustomed to these things on the island,” the prime minister said.
Police continue to search for a motive in the killing of the politician who was also a popular talk show host. According to media reports, Wiels had sent home his bodyguard earlier in the day and was quietly enjoying a beer when two men showed up and fired five shots killing him on the spot.
A spokesman for the Pueblo Soberano party, which holds 5 seats in the 22 member parliament said Wiels may well have been targeted by organized crime because of his work combating corruption.
The Netherlands, which is responsible for defense and foreign policy on the island have offered to help in the investigation.
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